Red Demons squish Greenbacks in wrestling

Friday

Jan 4, 2013 at 6:57 AMJan 4, 2013 at 7:05 AM

DCHS improves to 6-2 in duals

By Globe Sports Staff

The Dodge City Red Demons opened up their 2013 half of their season by dominating the Pratt Greenbacks 45-21 in a Thursday night dual.The Red Demons took control by winning five matches in a row for 24 team points to push ahead and never get threatened from losing in the final score to improve to 6-2 in duals this season."We had a few two-a-days during the holiday break and I think we've improved as a team," said DCHS head coach Lars Luedders. "We have improved during the holiday break every year I've been here and I think this team did the same. I think we came out and wrestled very tough. I liked what I saw (Thursday)."Dane Edwards remains unbeaten on the season after nine matches with a first-period pin. Clay Weil (120 pounds, 13-2) and Jaquan Graves (126 pounds, 8-3) also continue their winning ways on the season with victories by pin as well, as did Miguel Marino (182).Luedders did switch his line-up around a lot since the last matches almost three weeks ago."We definitely had some new faces in there," Luedders said. "Some of our wrestlers thought they would have a better chance of competing at the state tournament if they went up or down in weight."Weil and Graves switched weights after Weil won a wrestle-off during the holiday break. Jhett Ostrom (145) and James Meehan (152) dropped down, while Santiago Garcia moved up to 160. The moves seemed to be beneficial as four of the five wrestlers who moved in weight classes won their matches Thursday night with Ostrom and Garcia winning by decisions. Landon Blackburn (106) and Christian Torres (285) won by forfeit in their divisions.The Red Demons return to action Saturday, competing at the Salina South Invitational with the first rounds starting at 9 a.m.; followed by home duals against two-time league champion Hays and Hugoton next Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.